By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – Environmentalists, scientists, and community leaders have called for urgent and collective action to protect the ecosystem.
They also highlighted the pressing need to tackle climate change and environmental degradation.
The call was made at their last “Climate Hangout” discussion, a monthly forum that brings together experts, civil society groups, and Non-Governmental Organizations organizations (NGOs), religious and traditional leaders to address critical environmental challenges affecting humans and other living things.
The event held on Monday, was organized by the Desk for Climate Change and Environmental Issues at the Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) in Kaduna, in collaboration with African Climate Reporters (ACR)
It served as a platform for experts and local leaders to explore solutions to environmental issues such as natural disasters, pollution, and unsustainable resource use.
The Head of Early Warning and Early Response at IMC, Reverend Michael Ikpa, opened the discussion, underscoring the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders.
He emphasized that such forum is essential for finding practical solutions to climate change and ecological degradation, both of which are having a severe impact on public health.
Key Topics Raised During the Discussion:
Harmattan Hazards: The spread of harmful particles during the season, which poses significant health risks, particularly in the form of respiratory issues.
Threats to Wildlife: The extinction of endangered species in Northern Nigeria due to the contamination of waterways with toxic chemicals and pollutants.
Deforestation: The increasing demand for charcoal, firewood, and timber, leading to the destruction of forests and threatening biodiversity.
Pollinator Decline: The adverse effects of extreme weather patterns on pollinators, which are essential for food security and the availability of herbal medicines.
Risks to Indigenous Communities: Environmental degradation and unsustainable resource extraction are putting indigenous communities in Northern Nigeria at risk of losing their way of life.
The Controller General of the Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative, (SAESI), Comrade Yahaya Muhammed, who also spoke at the event, stressed the need for a unified approach to combating man-made environmental disasters.
He called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to safeguard the environment.
He equally warned of the dangers to aquatic life, pointing out the widespread pollution of rivers and oceans due to improper waste disposal.
The representative of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Mallam Abdullahi Argungu, who thanked the organizers of the event believed that such discussions were crucial in addressing the growing environmental challenges.
He highlighted the efforts of his Agency in raising public awareness on environmental issues.
The Founder/CEO of Ozone Layer NGO, Malam Rabi’u Abubakar, also emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of civil society organizations in environmental protection.
He called on State Governments and other stakeholders to increase their efforts in combating environmental degradation, addressing climate change, and protecting indigenous communities in Northern Nigeria’s forests.
In the same vein, a member of the Kaduna State Fishermen Association, Mallam Shehu Muhammad, also applauded the initiative and urged citizens to stop polluting marine environments.
He noted that many aquatic species are facing extinction due to human activities such as overfishing and pollution, stressing the need for collective action to protect marine life.
The Forum concluded with a renewed call for ongoing dialogue and joint efforts to tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change, environmental conservation, and public health.